NJ Transit expected to add trains by month's end

Mar. 5, 2013

NEWARK — More NJ Transit trains could be on the tracks by the end of the month as the agency’s board approved a total of $16.4 million in contracts to continue repairs to flood damaged trains and the Hoboken terminal to return the rail system to pre-superstorm Sandy levels.

NJ Transit Executive Director James Weinstein said more service is expected to be added by the end of the month when the agency will have a schedule change. NJ Transit rail service remains at 94 percent of the pre-Sandy schedule. Repairs on the Hoboken terminal continues, as does work to fix the remaining 183 rail cars and 27 locomotives damaged by flooding.

“We are looking forward to making an additional announcement at the end of the month,” Weinstein said after a special NJ Transit board meeting Monday. Watch the video above to learn more about the repairs. Using our mobile app? Watch the video here.

Progress so far

So far, 89 rail cars and 43 locomotives have been repaired, and the agency has received 48 new multilevel rail cars out of 100 ordered in 2010, said John Durso Jr., NJ Transit spokesman. NJ Transit has come under fire for leaving 342 locomotives and rail cars stored in low-lying areas during Sandy. NJ Transit officials defended the decision, saying those areas had never flooded in the past.

NJ Transit’s board authorized $16.4 million in contracts Monday for post Sandy repairs, with $16 million of that in a contract with Bombardier Transit Corporation of Horsham, N.Y., to repair 71 flood damaged multilevel rail cars. A contract was approved with ORX Railway Corp. to supply 730 wheels, axles, bearings and and gears for damaged rail cars and locomotives. Also, a $1 million amendment was approved with Hall Construction to make emergency repairs to the Hoboken terminal waiting room, restrooms and vendor space damaged by flooding and mold.

(Page 2 of 2)

“Virtually, all the fleet will be back in calendar year 2013, not calender year 2014,” Weinstein said, correcting some confusion over a fiscal year 2014 completion reference in the contract resolution. More storm repair contracts could be approved at the March 13 board meeting, he said.

Weinstein said the decision to hire Bombardier as a “sole source” vendor to repair the storm damaged multilevel rail cars, was made to keep the 35-year warranty on them in effect, because Bombardier built the cars. Doing that also allows NJ Transit to keep its insurance coverage, he said.

Impact on riders

Transit advocate Joseph Clift, a former Long Island Railroad planning director, told NJ Transit’s board that riders need more information about the status of repairs to the rail fleet, noting that missing diesel-powered trains to and from Bay Head and west of Dover have made commuting especially long and difficult for riders from those areas.

“The lack of equipment continues to provide problems for NJ Transit, the missing cars and locomotives affect people,” Clift said. “When can riders expect to see these cars back in service?”

While an repair time estimate of three weeks to a month per car was given, Weinstein said damage can vary from car to car and there isn’t a precedent for doing the work. Train car floors, which were never designed to be removed have to be pried up and crews are racing against warm weather to prevent water logged multi-level cars from developing mold, he said.

“The quicker we get it fixed, the better we’ll do,” Weinstein said. “The governor made it clear: Do this as soon as possible.”